Background: Geriatric impairments and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and adversely impact patient’s long-term outcomes. Little is known, however, about the association between OSA and frailty, cognitive performance, and AF-related quality of life in older men and women with AF.

Objective: To examine the association of OSA with frailty, cognitive performance, and AF- related quality of life among older adults with AF.

Methods: Data from the Systemic Assessment of Geriatrics Elements-AF study were used which includes participants ≥ 65 years with AF and a CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the association between OSA, as measured by the STOP-BANG questionnaire, and geriatric impairments including frailty, cognitive performance, and AF-related quality of life.

Results: A total of 970 participants with AF (mean age 75 years, 51% male) were included in the analysis. Among the 680 participants without a medical history of OSA, 179 (26%) participants had low risk of OSA, 360 (53%) had an intermediate risk, and 141 participants (21%) had a high risk for OSA. Compared to those with low risk of OSA, those at intermediate or high risk for OSA were significantly more likely to be frail (aOR= 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08–2.56; aOR= 3.00, 95% CI: 1.69-5.32, respectively) after adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical, and health behavioral variables. Risk of OSA was not associated with cognitive performance and AF- related quality of life after adjusting for several potentially confounding factors.

Conclusions: Older adults with AF who are at intermediate or high risk for OSA have a greater likelihood of being frail. Our findings identify a group of patients at high risk who would benefit from early screening for OSA. Future longitudinal studies are needed to assess the effect of OSA treatment on frailty, physical functioning, and QoL among patients with AF.